Tinsley ELLIS - Highway Man Live! 2005

Tinsley ELLIS - Highway Man Live!  2005

Blues

LIVE-HIGHWAYMAN marks not only Tinsley's first-ever live release, but also his return to Alligator Records. Always one of the most diverse blues-rockers, Tinsley's unique blend of hard-edged rock, simmering soul, Memphis-style R&B and Texas roadhouse is on high-energy display.
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Recorded at Chord on Blues in St. Charles, Ill., this set marks Ellis' return to Alligator Records. The Atlanta-based guitar slinger has developed into a triple threat during his 20-plus-year career, and a live album is an ideal showcase. Ellis' instrumental chops are a match for anyone in bluesville, but as he demonstrates track after track, Ellis also possesses a voice made to sing the blues. Then consider that he wrote or co-authored seven of the 11 songs here (they're seven way solid tunes, too). The many facets of Ellis' artistry come together in this project so forcefully that it's virtually impossible to sit through it without concluding that Ellis is one of today's premier blues/rock players. He sure picked the right night to cut a live record.
By Philip Van Vleck.
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Tinsley Ellis has some great studio albums in his catalog, but like several blues guitarists, you have to see him live or at least hear him live to experience what the fuss is about. And the guitarist, backed by a strong supporting cast, delivers an exceptionally pleasing and well-rounded set on Live! Highwayman. Beginning with the standard brand of Texas or Austin blues, the musician opens with the mid-tempo "To the Devil for a Dime," which comes off as a blend of Stevie Ray Vaughan and a grittier, rowdier Robert Cray. Cray is also heard somewhat on the heartache soul of "The Last Song," which travels into epic Floyd-ian bombast near the conclusion. Setting the groove early, Ellis has an equally blues soul and voice that suits his fabulous playing to a T. From there he ventures down a slightly less edgy, more swinging vibe on the bouncy, sway-inducing title track the way B.B. King would've performed it in his prime. It's also on this number where you get to see the guitar chops of Ellis front and center. Even the slower, downbeat tunes are strong, especially the deliberately building "A Quitter Never Wins," which brings to mind Cray and Buddy Guy. About halfway through the song he displays his style before asking if any blues fans are in attendance. The second half of the number is more of a rock-blues style à la David Gilmour but just as solid. The first track that seems to be almost run of the mill is the mid-tempo and keyboard-tinted "Real Bad Way" although Ellis manages to play off it well two-thirds of the way in. One of the first sleeper picks is "Hell or High Water," which has the band picking up steam thanks to the Evil One's rapid-fire bass line and Ellis upping the ante. And this flows nicely into the up-tempo, high-energy "The Next Miss Wrong," which could be described by some as Waylon Jennings nailing an old blues tune. Just makes you start to boogie wherever you may be. The crowning moment might be the terrific rendition of "Pawnbroker," a ten-minute tune that reeks of blues-rock that groups like Big Sugar and Wide Mouth Mason dream of. Above all, Ellis has the blues coursing through his bloodstream, especially on the tired-of-appeasing tone on "The Axe." "Double Eyed Whammy" resembles a blues tune funneled through Motown, but on the whole Ellis shows why he is the best, if not the most underrated, axeman in the blues business.  By Jason MacNeil, All Music Guide.
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Tinsley Ellis- Vocals, Guitar;
Todd Hamric- Keyboards, Background Vocals;
James "The Evil One" Ferguson- Bass guitar, Background Vocals
Jeff Burch- Drums.
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01. Introduction
02. To The Devil For A Dime
03. Highwayman
04. A Quitter Never Wins
05. Real Bad Way
06. Hell Or High Water
07. The Next Miss Wrong
08. The Last Song
09. Leavin' Here
10. Pawnbroker
11. The Axe
12. Double Eyed Whammy
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